Dubai

The markets in the Middle East are booming and Dubai has become the region’s epicenter. With the most diversified and open economy of the Gulf Cooperation Council, it is no coincidence that Dubai attracts innovative companies from all over the world. An increasing number of start-ups and scale-ups recognise the importance of Dubai as one of the world's most important economical hubs.

In September, Startups.be and BESIX organise a Go Global Mission to Dubai, bridging Belgian and European startups to the UAE ecosystem. Leveraging BESIX's strong presence in Dubai and its more than 100 years of experience in being the leading company in construction, property development and concessions, our go global mission to Dubai offers brilliant opportunities for participating startups.

In the centre of Dubai stands the Burj Khalifa tower (formerly called Burj Dubai), the world’s tallest manmade structure. This is one of the impressive projects of BESIX.

The special focus of this great mission will be on startups active in constructionand property, and startups that are developing/offering solutions applied in the construction industry:

Mobility & infrastructure (Intelligent road, Mobility as a service, New ways of transport)

New construction material

Real estate(Elderly, Co-housing, Small & smart)

Spatial planning(Compact living, Green space, Urban farming)

Well-being & safety at work.

Join our mission to Dubai and:

Get to know one of the most thriving tech ecosystems in the world

Learn the ins and outs of doing business in Dubai

Mingle with fellow entrepreneurs and European startups located in Dubai

Some Highlights:

Learn first-hand how theDubai Future Foundation can bring you in contact with relevant players of the government and private sectors. Meet top engineers and architects during a dedicated meetup for our mission

Discover the opportunities and specific programs that are meant for startups in the run-up for the Dubai Expo 2020 Universal Exposition

Get insights on the benefits of Dubai Silicon Oasis, a 7.2 km² free trade zone, government-owned incentivization zone in Dubai. Get acquainted with the Dubai free zones and what they can do in terms of support, housing and visas

Discover howIn5, theenabling Platform for Entrepreneurs and Start-ups in Dubai can help your startup

Want to open a business in Dubai? PKFwill explain you the ins and outs

It has been done before: Settlemintwill tell about their experiences as a Belgian startup that recently opened a branch in Dubai

Visit to a state-of-the-art construction sitepresenting high-tech challenges for start-ups

Meet and pitch to local investors (selected startups)

Conditions

The price of the mission to Dubai is 2.900 euro per person (excluding VAT) or 990 euro per person (excluding VAT) forstartups.

The price excludes flights and hotel expenses.

We have arranged preferential rates at the Novotel Dubai Al Barsha hotel (AED 271/- + 20% + 5% + AED 15/- tourism fee incl of breakfast). This hotel is centrally located with respect to the planned visits, and will also be the place where some activities will take place. We therefore recommend you to stay at this hotel. Mail jan.bormans@startups.be with your full name as in your passport if you want us to pre-book rooms for you. You will pay the hotel upon check-out.

Disclaimer: program subject to changes should the need arise.

Discounts

Discounts are available for startups with multiple participants enrolling in our Go Global missions in a one year time frame. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Jan Bormans.

Startups and scale-ups can get a subsidy of Flanders Investment & Trade, Brussels Invest and Export or Awex (depending on where your startup/scale-up is based) for this mission that covers about 50 percent of your costs. It's important that you send them your dossier at the latest two weeks before departure.

Startups/scale-ups that are based in Antwerp, are entitled to a direct subsidy of the City of Antwerp that covers about 75 percent of the net participation fee.

Any doubts regarding this Go Global Conference? Not sure if it's the right event for your startup? Drop us a line!

Check out the partners!

About Startups.be

Startups.be is the one stop shop for Belgian tech entrepreneurs. We partner with startups to reach their global ambition, we facilitate joint innovation with business partners worldwide, and we’re the reference center of expertise in the Belgian startup ecosystem.

About BESIX

A multidisciplinary group with over 100 years experience. Since first going into action in 1909, the BESIX Group has over the years grown into a multidisciplinary company with a leading position in its markets: construction, property development and concessions. This wide-range expertise enables us to handle every aspect of a project, from financing over designing and building to operating and maintaining. Backed by our experience in our home markets, we have built up strong positions outside Europe. A typical example is the Middle East, where over a 50 year period we have built up an impressive portfolio. In 2016 the Group achieved sales revenues of over EUR 2.4 billion. The Group employs more than 14,000 persons in 20 countries across 4 continents.

About Pulse Foundation

Pulse Foundation was created by entrepreneurs joined together by one philanthropic ideal and ambition: stimulate employment opportunities and encourage entrepreneurship.Go Global missions are nourished thanks to the support of the Pulse Foundation, encouraging startups as a source of growth and development.

About Flanders Investment & Trade

Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT) promotes international enterprise in Flanders in a sustainable way as a key factor in the social and economic development of our region. FIT does so by supporting the international activities of Flemish companies and by attracting foreign investors to Flanders

About Digital Wallonia

Wallonia’s digital strategy, platform and brand, Digital Wallonia sets the framework for all of the Walloon Government’s actions in terms of Wallonia’s digital transformation. Over 500 million euros have been harnessed over four years for its implementation.

About The Brussels-Capital Region

The Brussels-Capital Region supports numerous initiatives to stimulate the economy. Brussels Economy and Employment (BEE) promotes sustainable economic development and job creation in the Brussels-Capital Region with a whole raft of financial assistance measures for businesses. Additionally, BEE promotes the Region among potential foreign investors and encourages foreign trade.